Mulberry could have new CEO by July - source

By Neil Maidment

LONDON, March 9 (Reuters) - British luxury handbag makerMulberry is moving closer to appointing a new chiefexecutive and aims to have one installed by July when its newcreative director joins, a source told Reuters.

Mulberry CEO Bruno Guillon quit almost a year ago after aturbulent two years that was marked by three profit warningsduring an attempt to move upmarket that failed to pay off.

The group has been led since by Mulberry veteran and chairman Godfrey Davis, who has been working to reconnect thebrand with its core followers.

While the company slumped to a loss in the first half toSept. 30 last year, it said in December a return to itslower-priced roots had lifted sales more recently.

The source close to the company told Reuters Mulberry couldmake an announcement on a new CEO soon.

The candidate would link up with Mulberry's new creativedirector, Johnny Coca, who will join from France's Celine inJuly, replacing Emma Hill, who quit in 2013 and was creativedirector behind Mulberry's Alexa and Del Rey bags.

The source said that upon the arrival of a new CEO Daviswould likely revert to non-executive chairman of the group butwould have a more involved role than normal to ensure the newboss and Coca settle into its new strategy.

Mulberry declined to comment. (Editing by Susan Thomas)

Mulberry Group